When Rev. Roy
Peters became our pastor, Bishop McGucken recommended that he contact Charles
Harney, the principal contractor of the dam project in Lewiston, for help in
building a church. He met with Mr. Harney in San Francisco and he told him
that he would be happy to build the church, along with his friend, Gilbert Shea,
also a contractor from San Francisco. Gilbert
Shea and
Charles Harney agreed to pay for a
prefabricated Soule building, a salary for Henry Durham, a local Catholic
contractor, and all other expenses, except labor. Father Roy Peters
organized the construction workers, on a voluntary basis. Saint Gilbert's Church was begun in December of 1958 with
pouring of the foundation and the erection of the basic steel frame.
Actual construction started in March of 1959, under the direction of Hank
Durham. It was dedicated on July 19, 1959, with Bishop Joseph T. McGucken
conducting the ceremonies. Saint
Gilbert's has been a very active parish for many years. The members of the
church (men and women) form the guild and they are very active in community
projects.